Isumbras was the third child, and second son, of [[Gerontius Took|Thain Gerontius]]. His father's office passed to his elder brother [[Isengrim Took III|Isengrim III]], but because of their father's longevity, Isengrim's reign did not last long. As he left no heir, Isumbras became [[Thain]] at the age of ninety-two, even older than his brother was. He served for nine years before he died, and the office passed to his son [[Fortinbras Took II|Fortinbras II]].<ref>{{App|Took}}</ref>

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Isumbras was the third child, and second son, of [[Gerontius Took|Thain Gerontius]]<!--TCGTMe incorrectly says he was the "third son"-->. His father's office passed to his elder brother [[Isengrim Took III|Isengrim III]], but because of their father's longevity, Isengrim's reign did not last long. As he left no heir, Isumbras became [[Thain]] at the age of ninety-two, even older than his brother was. He served for nine years before he died, and the office passed to his son [[Fortinbras Took II|Fortinbras II]].<ref>{{App|Took}}</ref>

History

Isumbras was the third child, and second son, of Thain Gerontius. His father's office passed to his elder brother Isengrim III, but because of their father's longevity, Isengrim's reign did not last long. As he left no heir, Isumbras became Thain at the age of ninety-two, even older than his brother was. He served for nine years before he died, and the office passed to his son Fortinbras II.[1]

Etymology

"Isumbras" is of French and Anglo-Saxon origin and means "iron-arm". It comes from the French bras meaning "arm", and the Anglo-Saxon and Middle High German word isen which means "iron".[2]

Tolkien likely got the name from Sir Isumbras, an English medieval romance about a man who suffers a lifetime of hardship but who finds happiness in his latter years.